Rep. McGovern Helps Secure $4.9 Million for COVID-19 Relief in Central and Western Massachusetts

Grants to be awarded through Community Development Block Grant program at U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Washington, April 2, 2020

WASHINGTON – Today, United States Congressman James P. McGovern (MA-02), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, welcomed the first batch of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) COVID-19 response grants to Central and Western Massachusetts, including over $4.1 million for Worcester, $400,000 for Northampton, $272,000 for Leominster, and $92,000 for Community Healthlink.

Last week, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which included an additional $5 billion for the CDBG program nationwide. These grants provide flexible funding for communities as they seek to respond to the Coronavirus crisis.

During negotiations over the bill, McGovern had sent a letter to Congressional leadership – along with other members of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation – urging them to include robust funding for the CDBG program. McGovern also champions the bipartisan effort in Congress every year urging appropriators to strongly support the program.

“As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to impact Massachusetts, people need to know that our Congressional Delegation is working around the clock to make sure that our state and local governments have the tools they need to keep our communities safe,” said McGovern. “I’m glad that we moved quickly to get this money allocated and distributed, but there is much more work do be done. Workers are hurting. Small businesses are shuttering. Our doctors and nurses still lack proper equipment. And we are going to continue fighting like hell to make sure that everyone in our Commonwealth is taken care of and nobody is left behind."